Let's break down the Italian master's 'Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes' - one of the most transgressive art works of the Renaissance
I was lucky enough to go to an exhibition of her paintings at the National Gallery in London a few years ago. The thing about her women is they are capable. No fawning, fainting maidens; women with strong forearms and dirty fingernails. (And her early Susannah is just so annoyed at those pervy elders. You can just hear her saying “fuck off, creeps!”)
I loved that show at the National Gallery. It was preceded by one where her work appeared with her father's beneath Caravaggio's, which was also great.
I love her choice to paint his head with greyed skin, relegated to the shadows and bottom of the painting, contrasting with the lush textures and deep hues of the women and furnishings. Not only has she given the women agency, she’s taken away from him everything that made him human. He’s nothing. I also enjoy seeing her Judith as a mature woman. Who’s in front of the easel makes a difference. Wonderful post; thanks.
Thank you for introducing me to her work. I’ve probably seen her “Esther before Ahasuerus” as I’ve spent a lot of time in that area at The Met, but I don’t specifically remember it. I just spent some time on Google Arts & Culture, and it has a really nice roundup of her paintings and some of them are startlingly violent. The “Judith and Holofernes” at The Uffizi in Florence (bucket list) graphically depicts the act of decapitation. Sadly, the world has always been a violent place.
Thank you!! And for the chuckle (eew yuck!). Have you seen the fringe show "It's True, It's True, It's True?" Brilliant. Using vivant tableau from her paintings.
I was lucky enough to go to an exhibition of her paintings at the National Gallery in London a few years ago. The thing about her women is they are capable. No fawning, fainting maidens; women with strong forearms and dirty fingernails. (And her early Susannah is just so annoyed at those pervy elders. You can just hear her saying “fuck off, creeps!”)
I loved that show at the National Gallery. It was preceded by one where her work appeared with her father's beneath Caravaggio's, which was also great.
I love her choice to paint his head with greyed skin, relegated to the shadows and bottom of the painting, contrasting with the lush textures and deep hues of the women and furnishings. Not only has she given the women agency, she’s taken away from him everything that made him human. He’s nothing. I also enjoy seeing her Judith as a mature woman. Who’s in front of the easel makes a difference. Wonderful post; thanks.
Who's in front of the easel certainly does make a difference. Thanks for reading.
How to deal with the male gaze permanently.
Heh.
Thank you for introducing me to her work. I’ve probably seen her “Esther before Ahasuerus” as I’ve spent a lot of time in that area at The Met, but I don’t specifically remember it. I just spent some time on Google Arts & Culture, and it has a really nice roundup of her paintings and some of them are startlingly violent. The “Judith and Holofernes” at The Uffizi in Florence (bucket list) graphically depicts the act of decapitation. Sadly, the world has always been a violent place.
Thank you!! And for the chuckle (eew yuck!). Have you seen the fringe show "It's True, It's True, It's True?" Brilliant. Using vivant tableau from her paintings.